By Trendsetter Tribune 
MILWAUKEE, WI — On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Milwaukee City Council member JoCasta Zamarripa formally called for a state-led investigation into the immigration and labor practices of Uline, the shipping supply giant owned by prominent MAGA megadonors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein. The demand follows a series of investigative reports alleging that the company utilized a secretive “shuttle program” to bring Mexican workers into the U.S. using improper visas.
The controversy highlights a perceived hypocrisy, as the Uihleins have donated millions to political campaigns and Super PACs that advocate for aggressive border crackdowns and mass deportations.
The Allegations: The B-1 “Shuttle Program”
The reports, primarily from The Guardian, claim that Uline systematically brought employees from its Mexican facilities to staff warehouses in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
- The Visa Loophole: Workers were reportedly brought in on B-1 (temporary business/visitor) visas, which are strictly intended for training or short-term meetings—not for performing regular warehouse labor.
- The “Training” Pretense: One worker, Christian Valenzuela, shared a letter from Uline officials addressed to Border Patrol claiming he was entering for “professional training.” Valenzuela alleged that no training ever occurred and he was immediately put to work doing “the heaviest” manual labor.+1
- Mexican Wages for U.S. Work: Sources allege that these workers were paid their standard Mexican salaries, deposited into Mexican bank accounts, while working alongside American counterparts who earned significantly higher hourly wages.
- The Sudden Halt: The program was reportedly “abruptly terminated” in late 2024 after initial media inquiries began.
“Money Shields Them from Consequences”
Zamarripa, who is currently running for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin Secretary of State, released a blistering statement on Facebook demanding transparency.
“Billionaires fund the crackdown, then exploit the very people targeted by it—because they think money shields them from consequences. Wisconsin needs transparency, a real investigation, and accountability that applies to everyone.” — JoCasta Zamarripa, Feb 25, 2026
Zamarripa noted the irony of the Uihleins bankrolling advertisements attacking an “immigrant invasion” while allegedly relying on “illegally imported” labor to fuel Uline’s $8 billion annual revenue.
The Uihlein Connection
Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein are among the most influential donors in Republican politics.
- 2024 Cycle: The couple donated over $100 million to pro-Trump and conservative causes.
- 2025 Giving: Records show they donated $1 million to the Wisconsin Federation of College Republicans in the first half of 2025 alone.
- Vance Visit: During the 2024 campaign, then-candidate JD Vance delivered a speech at Uline’s Allentown facility, praising the company as a model for “rewarding companies that build here in America.”
Potential Legal Fallout
Immigration attorneys suggest that if the allegations are proven, Uline could face significant penalties for visa fraud and potential labor trafficking violations.
| Potential Violation | Description |
| Visa Misuse | Using B-1 visitor visas for full-time, long-term employment. |
| Wage Violations | Paying foreign-based wages for labor performed on U.S. soil. |
| Civil Rights | Allegations from workers like Valenzuela who claim they were “punished for speaking up” or denied medical care following workplace injuries. |
Uline has consistently declined to comment on the specific allegations regarding the shuttle program.